SAN RAFAEL'S Ritter Center has become a vital services hub for people in Marin who need a helping hand, whether it is a free sack of groceries for a struggling family or a brief respite from the streets and a shower for local homeless.

The center, as its services have expanded, has become an unfortunate target of complaints from those who say its programs should be moved out of downtown.

That advice received an official endorsement last week from the San Rafael City Council, which suggested the nonprofit consider moving.

Exactly where is no easy task.

As Marin's largest business center, downtown is a popular gathering spot — and a place that also draws the county's homeless population. Two key services, the St. Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room on B Street and the Ritter Center, on Ritter Street, are several walkable blocks from one another.

But, over the years, they have also drawn criticism for being magnets for Marin's homeless and, according to Mayor Gary Phillips, a much-cited reason why shoppers take their money elsewhere.

Phillips is trying to do something about that complaint. Politically, he has dug his heels in deep, seeking to move homeless services out of town to other communities. He says San Rafael already is doing more than its share as Marin's host to services that help people across the county.

Ritter's programs would not have grown without an ever-increasing demand for help and services.

The council's political pressure on Ritter comes as the center's leases for the building and property where its services have grown over the past 33 years face renewal.

But City Hall has to do more than push; it has to work in partnership to help Ritter find and afford a site that might make more sense — one that might be a better fit for delivering the program's services.

But it also needs to be close to public transit and services.

If Mayor Phillips has any concrete ideas for a viable location "out of downtown" he needs to partner with Ritter and work together to pursue them.

Phillips also shouldn't be surprised if "somewhere else" doesn't generate its own share of complaints. We are confident that the mayor is well aware of that potentially high political hurdle.

The council is also right to take a new look at Ritter's city permit, to determine if changes in operating requirements could be made to respond to complaints.

Ritter's leadership is open to relocating, but understandably they would prefer to stay in San Rafael, as it is a central location in the county.

Phillips is right in his viewpoint that providing vital services for Marin's poor and homeless is a countywide issue, one that should involve other municipalities.

But finding a suitable, accessible site outside San Rafael will be a challenging hunt for the appropriate real estate.